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Thursday, March 29, 2018

Maundy Thursday - It's All About Love

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This week is considered Holy Week. Do not take this for granted for they are many who still do not realize the significance of this week and the actual events that transpired. I'll never forget the time at work when I told one of my employees about Good Friday. He was not familiar with the term and the meaning of the day. Back then I felt nervous sharing, but I shared anyway.

But today is Thursday and this day is often called Maundy Thursday. The word Maundy is unique and has a gravitas that rolls off the tongue. Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, which translates to “commandment.” The commandment given that day occurred at the Last Supper that Jesus had with his disciples. During that meal, He washed their feet, an incredibly humbling experience, and one that demonstrated what he would say soon after. Prior to imparting the new commandment Jesus was troubled in His spirit because he knew that Judas - one of the disciples, would betray Him. The others did not know, but when He gave Judas the sop (a piece of bread dipped in broth), they all knew. Upon receiving the sop, the scriptures say, "He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night" (John 13:30). Such poignancy. Judas went from being surrounded by the light and love of Jesus into the darkness of the night. Absent from Jesus, there is darkness. And it was night.

After Judas left He told them, "a new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another, as I have loved you" (John 13:34-35). Even though Judas was about to betray Him, Jesus loved Judas and all that were with him. This is the significance of Maundy Thursday - love lovingly driving out the darkness.

I must confess that when this week started, the events of this week in Biblical times were not top of mind. I was dulled to what was important: love. Love in the form of sacrifice, humility, and obedience as exemplified by the One that we celebrate on Easter Sunday. We've used our things and our positions to insulate us from our palpable need for love. I sometimes wish that I lived in Biblical times - where life was relatively simpler and I had the opportunity to physically interact with Jesus. To be reminded of the important things. To see Him heal. To be comforted by Him. To fellowship with Him. To have the customs and meals of the day as markers for important events.

On the darkest evening of Jesus' life, He commanded that we love one another as He loved us. We fail so miserably in this regard - we get sidetracked by feelings, grudges, circumstances, things and we forget to love. We forget that we were loved by Someone who chose to die for us. We forget and subsequently we don't transfer the love that we are beneficiaries of.

May Maundy become synonymous with love - and as maundy rolls off your tongue, reflect on the gravity of love and then love each other as Jesus loved us. We all need this love.

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

John 13:34,35 [NLT]

--Nylse

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This ... "On the darkest evening of Jesus' life, He commanded that we love one another as He loved us. We fail so miserably in this regard - we get sidetracked by feelings, grudges, circumstances, things and we forget to love. We forget that we were loved by Someone who chose to die for us. We forget and subsequently we don't transfer the love that we are beneficiaries of."

I think this is one of the best explanations I've read on Maundy Thursday! It's not something I grew up with. I think I will forever be learning how to really love as He loved me. The nuances of love are so diverse, but pouring ourselves into it helps us comprehend His love on such a deeper level.